Tag Archives: 2017 Legislative Session

“Pain Doctors Very Powerful in Louisiana” – Rep. Talbot Sounds Off on HB592 Failure

June 8, 2017 | by: | Categories: Features

HB 592, the bill which would have established the Work Loss Data Institute’s “Official Disability Guidelines” (ODG) Appendix A closed pharmacy formulary as the law of the land in Louisiana failed last week after members of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee ran out of time to hear the bill. Supporters and advocates of the measure, including the bill’s sponsor Rep. Talbot, say they’ll be back for more.

Rep. Davis on her HB675, Tightening Up Contractor Licensure and Insurance Requirements

June 1, 2017 | by: | Categories: Features

Unlicensed contractors and contractors that neglect to maintain adequate workers’ compensation and general liability insurance can bring a world of problems for workers, consumers and carriers, but enforcement can be difficult, if not impossible. Representative Paula Davis, (R-Baton Rouge) in an effort to provide consumer protections, brought HB675 this Legislative Session, which is on track to hit the Governor’s desk this week.

OWC Director Responds to WorkCompCentral Article on Potential Veto of ODG Bill

May 25, 2017 | by: | Categories: Features, Opinion

This Tuesday, May 23rd, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed an ODG formulary bill for workers’ comp, 58-36. This morning, national industry publication WorkCompCentral (subscription required) published a piece which revealed that Governor John Bel Edwards will likely veto the bill if it reaches his desk. The following is Office of Workers’ Compensation Director Sheral Kellar’s response to the bill’s passage in the House and the WorkCompCentral article.

Comp in the Capitol: ODG Formulary Bill Awaiting Senate Labor, Opioid Rx Restrictions Keep Moving

May 25, 2017 | by: | Categories: Features

The bill that would establish the Work Loss Data Institute’s “Official Disability Guidelines” formulary in Louisiana passed the House 58-36 this week, and will soon be scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of comp-related happenings until the Session ends on June 8th.

Comp in the Capitol: ODG Formulary Bill Squeaks by House Labor Committee

May 11, 2017 | by: | Categories: Features

Instruments geared toward limiting opioid use and abuse among the general public continue to move, and, after three hours of debate, the bill that would mandate the implementation of the “Official Disability Guidelines” formulary in Louisiana passed the House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee on Thursday 8 yeas to 5 nays. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of comp-related happenings until the Session ends on June 8th.

Comp in the Capitol: Opioid Prescribing Restrictions Make Headway

May 3, 2017 | by: | Categories: Features

Although the workers’ comp closed pharmacy formulary bills were voted down at the last Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council meeting in late April and have not yet been scheduled to be heard in Committee, several bills aimed at curbing opioid use among Louisianans generally have moved quickly forward. Stick with Louisiana Comp Blog for full coverage of comp-related happenings until the Session ends on June 8th.

Pharmacy Formulary Debate Pits Two Bills Against Each Other – ODG vs. Louisiana-specific

April 25, 2017 | by: | Categories: Features

Two closed pharmacy formulary proposals have been filed so far in this year’s Regular Session, which began April 10th and concludes June 8th. One measure, HB 592 by Representatives Talbot, Barras, Davis and Lance Harris, requires the use of the Work Loss Data Institute’s Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) Appendix A. The other, HB 529 by Representative Broadwater, does not require the Louisiana Workforce Commission to implement any specific formulary, but rather, would more broadly ask the LWC and Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA) to create one with input from a range of system stakeholders.